Affordable Overhead Door Inc.

Q.

Why should I use a professional installer?

A.

At Affordable Overhead Door Inc., we firmly believe that the installation of a garage door is not a do-it-yourself job. A garage door is the largest moving object in your home and because of the large number of small parts, its installation is highly technical. Connecting the springs can be particularly dangerous and proper installation is critical to the performance of your door. One of the other services a professional installer can provide is the disposal of your old door, if you are replacing a door.

Professional installers can typically install a door in a few hours and are careful to make sure safety requirements are met. Installations by most homeowners typically span several days and cause much frustration. In addition, incorrect installation can void certain warranties, so we recommend a professional handle the job for you.

Q.

Is 25 gauge steel thicker than 24 gauge steel?

A.

No. When comparing strengths of steel, remember, the lower the gauge number, the thicker (and stronger) the steel is.

Q.

Why should I choose an insulated door if my garage is uninsulated?

A.

A garage door opening is a very large hole in your garage. Insulated doors will help to reduce the amount of outside temperatures that enters your garage, thus keeping it more comfortable for you. This is important for a number of reasons:
1) If your garage is attached to your home, any air in the garage can travel through the doorway to your living area.
2) If you use your garage as a workshop, your comfort will be a top priority.
3) If your garage is below another room in your home, air can travel through the ceiling of the garage into the floor of the room above. An insulated door will keep temperatures in the garage fairly stable to reduce the temperature fluctuation in the room.
4) An insulated door is generally quieter and has a more attractive interior than an uninsulated door.

Q.

What are the benefits of a steel door over a wood door?

A.

1) Steel doors are low maintenance. Typically a wood door needs to be painted as frequently as the wood trim on your home due to weathering.
2) Amarr steel doors have longer warranties than wood doors.
3) Steel doors can be insulated, making them far more energy efficient than wood.
4) Amarr steel doors are pre-painted and most are available in your choice of three colors. Wood doors are unfinished or primed, both of which need to be finish painted upon installation.

Q.

What is required for installing an electric operator?

A.

In the event that an electric operator is installed, the top section must be reinforced with a strut or 14-gauge angle iron spanning the length of the top section.

Q.

I want to replace my old door, but don't know how to dispose of my old one. Will my Amarr dealer take care of that?

A.

Most dealers will haul your old door away after the new door is installed for a small additional fee. Discuss this with the salesperson when you get your estimate on your new door.

Q.

When I replace my existing door, can I keep my old track?

A.

We recommend replacing your track when you replace your door because each brand of garage door hems been specially designed to work with a specific type of track. In addition, replacing your track is an inexpensive way to insure that your entire garage door system is as safe as possible. By replacing your track you also ensure that your door warranty will apply, in the event that you have a problem.

Q.

I have a one-piece door now. Can I replace it with a sectional door?

A.

Yes. Your professional garage door installer can install a sectional door for you by installing track and springs to accommodate a sectional door. Depending on the construction of your garage, other modifications might be necessary. We would advise you to ask your installer to evaluate the job prior to installation, so that any modifications can be performed before installation.

Q.

I'd like to purchase an Amarr steel door, but need a color other than those you offer. Can I paint the door once it's installed?

A.

Yes. All Amarr steel doors are prepainted with a tough topcoat that is perfectly suited for painting after installation if another color is desired. To repaint, use a high-quality latex exterior house paint. Because the paint must be thoroughly mixed before using, mechanical mixing is recommended to assure that no settling on the bottom of the container remains.

The surface must be completely dry prior to painting. Painting should be done in the early morning to reduce uneven drying from the sun. Avoid painting when temperatures are below 50°F. Apply a uniform coat at the manufacturer's recommended dry film thickness.

If the door has been installed for a long period of time it should be cleaned and prepared prior to painting. First, wash your steel door with (a) One cup of Tide (or other common detergents which contain less than 0.5% phosphate, dissolved into five gallons of warm water, or (b) One cup of household ammonia dissolved into five gallons of water (room temperature). NEVER BLEND CLEANSERS OR DETERGENTS WITH BLEACH.

The garage door may be washed with either solution and the use of a well-soaked cloth, sponge, brush (with very soft bristles) or low pressure spray washer are recommended. Once the door is washed, thoroughly rinse with clean water to eliminate the possibility of residue. To prepare the door for painting, lightly sand or buff surface imperfections such as minor scratches, which have not left the metal substrate exposed in order to create a smoother surface. Care must be taken, however, not to expose the substrate. Rusting is greatly increased when the metal substrate is exposed.

Exposed metal must be treated to prevent rust from forming. To do so, sand the general area lightly and use a primer* specifically designed to protect any exposed galvanized steel from corrosion. After the door has been properly prepared, it must be coated within 24 hours with a high-quality latex exterior house paint, taking care to allow the surface to completely dry prior to painting.

*Glidden Galvanized Metal Primer® 5229, PPG Galvanized Steel Primer® #6-209, or equivalent primers specifically designed for galvanized steel surfaces.

Q.

Are special size doors available? I have a custom-built garage that features an unusual size door.

A.

Yes. Amarr makes residential doors in widths beginning at 6' wide and continuing to 20'*. We can make any width between 6' and 20' in two inch increments. In addition, virtually any height between 6'6" and 12' is available in three inch increments. The only height that is unavailable is 7'3".

*not all models are available in this range of widths

Q.

My garage has very little space (headroom) above the door. What is the minimum headroom required to operate a sectional door?

A.

Standard headroom applications require 12" to 18" of space between the bottom of the opening header and the unobstructed ceiling. However, Amarr specializes in custom-built applications. A variety of special track options are available and make it possible for many unusual garages to be fitted with doors. By using low-headroom track, it is possible to install a door in an area that has as little as 41/2" of headroom.

Other special track applications include:
1) Vertical lift track, for use in situations where the ceiling is extremely high and the garage door has room to lift straight up.
2) Follow-the-roofline track, which is used when the ceiling of the garage is pitched at the angle of the roof, making it desirable for the door to follow the same angle, thus providing additional overhead room and
3) Hi-lift track, which is used when the ceiling is unusually high, but the door must still retract to a horizontal position.

Q.

I'd like windows, but I'm concerned about security?

A.

There are many parts of our country where security is a large concern. Because of this, Amarr has designed DecraGlass™- safe, secure windows for your garage doors. DecraGlass™ windows are tempered, translucent windows that feature beautiful etched designs to compliment the style of your home. In addition, they offer more security than standard garage door windows because they feature baked-in translucent ink. This allows light into your garage, but masks the contents from potential intruders.

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